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Former North Augusta councilman dies

By AMY BANTON

Those who knew Paul Leonard Roggenkamp described him as an intelligent, honest and strong-minded individual.

Roggenkamp, a former North Augusta city councilman, passed away on Dec. 27. He was 85.

Roggenkamp, originally from Louisville, Ky., served two consecutive terms on City Council starting in the late ’70s and, in 1983, announced he wasn’t seeking re-election.

Tom Greene, former North Augusta mayor, said Roggenkamp was an intelligent councilman. Roggenkamp had both a bachelor’s degree in physics and a doctorate in theoretical physics. Greene said that Roggenkamp had the ability to look at a lot of problems the City had at the time analytically, which helped council make good decisions.

“He was really a fine man,” Greene said. “While he was on City Council, it was one of the strongest councils we had at that time, and he was such a huge contributor to that strength.”

Current North Augusta Mayor Lark Jones said Roggenkamp was part of a group that cared more about the City than themselves, which set a standard for future council members.

“What we’re able to do today is based on a solid foundation that people like Paul had a part in laying down many, many years ago,” Jones said.

Roggenkamp was very involved in his community. He not only served on the North Augusta City Council but was also on the Area Two School Council of Aiken County.

Margie Shealy knew Roggenkamp through her husband, Carl, who served on the school board for about eight years.

“He (Roggenkamp) was very brilliant and was a good, inspiring father – a wonderful family person,” Shealy said.

He was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, where he was a lay reader, Sunday school discussion leader and served on the vestry as senior warden a few times. He was also in charge of the memorial garden.

Roggenkamp was also a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II.

Roggenkamp’s 35 year career started in Chicago at E.I. DuPont de Nemours Inc., and he moved to North Augusta in 1953 to work at the Savannah River Plant.

His interest in the science of the world prompted him to become a fellow of the American Nuclear Society, as well as a member of both the American Physical Society and Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Katherine, and five children.

A memorial service will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.

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